For It Before He Was Against It: Arcuri Will Likely Vote No On Health Care

Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-NY) voted for House health care legislation in November. But he says he's almost certain to vote no on the Senate bill when it comes up for a vote in the House later this month, according to a report in the Utica Observer-Dispatch.

"There would have to be some dramatic changes in it for me to change my position," Arcuri said.

Back in November, he was saying somewhat different things. "There are some parts of the Senate bill I like better, and some parts of this bill I like better than the Senate version. I look at this as piece of the whole - this is the first step in a process."

Arcuri says his opposition is based on three main concerns: That the bill is too sweeping and comprehensive; that Democrats plan to use reconciliation to amend it in various ways; and, substantively, that it calls for taxes on health benefits.

Arcuri is currently serving his second term in Congress. In 2008 he won re-election by 52-48 percent over Republican challenger Richard Hanna, which was actually a swing against him from his first election in 2006 which he won 54-46. President Barack Obama carried the district 50-48 in 2008. It had previously gone to President George W. Bush by 52-46 in 2004.

About The Author

Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com